Clamp with clamp band and rubber profile

ABSTRACT

A clamp for fastening an object in the form of a tube or hose, having an elongate clamp strap at each of the ends of which there is provided a radially outwardly projecting fastening leg, and having a rubber profile which is provided on the radial inner face of the clamp strap and which at least partially engages around each of the edges of the clamp strap by way of a lip. At least one first holding geometry is provided on the radial inner face of the clamp strap, and at least one second holding geometry is provided on the radial outer face of the rubber profile.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/485,212, filed Aug. 12, 2019, which claims the benefit ofDE102017103079.4 with a filing date of Feb. 15, 2017.

INTRODUCTION

The disclosure relates to a clamp for securing a tubular or hose-likeobject.

Clamps of the type mentioned in the introduction are generally used tofix or maintain pipes, hoses or cables on a mounted component. The clampband is laid around the pipe or hose which is intended to be secured andthe securing members are secured to the mounted component, whereby thereis formed a receiving space which is closed in a peripheral directionand in which the pipe or the hose is retained. For example, the securingmembers are tensioned with respect to each other so that the pipe or thehose is clamped in the receiving space. The rubber profileadvantageously reduces a vibration transmission between the pipe or hoseand the mounted component and insulates them with respect to each other.In addition, the rubber profile can protect the pipe or the hose fromscratches if the pipe or the hose is displaced in the clamp.

In known clamps, the rubber profile is generally fixed by lips whichengage around the edges of the clamp band. Such a clamp is set out, forexample, in DE 10 2006 020 407 B3. However, the rubber profile isheavily loaded by the rims or the edges of the clamp band when the pipeor the hose is clamped.

SUMMARY

An object of the disclosure is to provide a clamp which is of the typementioned in the introduction and which enables good fixing of therubber profile, wherein a loading of the rubber profile is intended tobe as small as possible.

In order to achieve the objective, according to one embodiment, a clampfor securing a tubular or hose-like object is provided, having a clampband, on the ends of which an outwardly protruding securing member isprovided in each case, and having a rubber profile which is arranged ona radial inner face of the clamp band and which at least partiallyengages around axial edges of the clamp band with a lip. On the radialinner face of the clamp band, at least a first retention geometry isprovided and, on a radial outer face of the rubber profile, at least asecond retention geometry is provided. The first and the secondretention geometries are in engagement with each other, in particular ina radial direction.

Generally, the rubber profile is fixed to the clamp band by the lipswhich engage around the lateral edge of the clamp band. In contrast, thefixing is carried out according to the disclosure by a positive-lockingconnection between retention geometries of the radial inner face of theclamp band and the radial outer face of the rubber profile. This has anumber of advantages according to different embodiments: on the onehand, the assembly of the rubber profile is simplified. The surroundinglips of the sealing rubber do not have to be adapted to precisely fitthe width and thickness of the clamp band. As a result of play providedbetween the rubber profile and the clamp band, the edges of the clampband can be introduced in a relatively simple manner between the lips ofthe rubber profile. Consequently, a sufficiently secure fixing of therubber profile to the clamp band is also achieved in the pre-assembledstate. If a pipe, a hose or a line is mounted in the clamp, the innerface of the clamp band and the outer face of the rubber profile arepressed against each other, whereby the first and the second retentiongeometry are pressed one inside the other. Consequently, a securepositive-locking connection between the clamp band and rubber profile isensured.

Depending on the formation of the retention geometries, a fixing of therubber profile to the clamp band can be achieved in a peripheraldirection and/or in an axial direction relative to the receiving spacedefined by the clamp band. Preferably, the first and the secondretention geometries are formed in such a manner that the rubber profileis retained in such a manner that the lips of the rubber profile whichengage around the edges are not loaded. The lips act in this instancesubstantially only as edge protection and can accordingly be constructedwith a smaller wall thickness.

For example, the first retention geometry has at least one indentationwhich is provided in the inner face of the clamp band and the secondretention geometry has at least one projection which is provided on theouter face of the rubber profile, wherein the projection engages in theindentation. The indentation and the projection are in this instance inparticular orientated radially. In this instance, the indentation can beformed in a relatively simple manner in the clamp band and theprojection can during the assembly of the rubber profile on the clampband be introduced into the indentation in a simple manner so thatadditional assembly steps are not required.

Alternatively, there may be formed on the inner face of the clamp bandat least one inwardly protruding projection and on the outer face of therubber profile at least one indentation in which the projection engages.Since the clamp band is produced from a more rigid material, theprojection on the clamp band is substantially more stable or lesssusceptible to deformation. The projection in the clamp band may in thisinstance be constructed, for example, in a point-like manner or extendin particular in the peripheral direction. The indentation can be formedin the rubber profile without significant complexity. As also in thepreviously described embodiment, a simple assembly is thereby achievedwith secure retention.

The projection may in this embodiment be formed by a bead which isembossed in the clamp band. The clamp band is, for example, producedfrom a flat metal sheet, for example, from a strip material. Aftercutting the clamp band, the at least one projection can then be formedby embossing a bead. This enables simple production of the clamp band.

The projection and the indentation may have different shapes which inparticular complement each other and engage one inside the other. Forexample, the projection and the indentation may extend on or parallelwith a longitudinal center axis of the clamp band. The longitudinalcenter axis of the clamp band extends axially centrally in a peripheraldirection when the clamp band is shaped to form the clamp. As a resultof this arrangement of the projection and the indentation, at least afixing of the rubber profile to the clamp band in an axial direction isachieved.

Preferably, the length and/or the width of the projection substantiallycorresponds to the length and/or width of the indentation, in which theprojection engages. The projection thus engages in a precisely fittingmanner in the indentation so that a play-free positive-lockingconnection in a peripheral direction and/or in an axial direction isachieved. The rubber profile is thereby reliably prevented from beingdisplaced relative to the clamp band in an axial direction and/or in aperipheral direction.

In an alternative embodiment, the indentation is constructed so as toextend in a peripheral direction. This enables very simple production ofthe rubber profile, for example, in an extrusion process. By clamping apipe inside the clamp, there is produced a compression of the rubberprofile and consequently a substantial closure of the indentation sothat the projection(s) is/are retained in a positive-locking manner notonly in an axial direction, but also in a peripheral direction and alsosecure(s) the rubber profile with respect to the clamp band againstrotation.

For example, a plurality of indentations which are arranged offset in aperipheral direction and/or in an axial direction are provided. It isthereby possible over the entire periphery to achieve a uniformretention and where applicable to distribute any loads which occur overa larger surface. The indentations can thus be constructed in such amanner that in each case one or more projections can engage therein sothat better fixing of the rubber profile can be carried out on the clampband. More indentations than projections can also be provided, whereinthe indentations can where applicable also bring about a degree ofthermal insulation. The projections may be individually formed for thedesired fixing in the clamp band.

In an embodiment, a plurality of, in particular three indentations whichextend in a peripheral direction are provided in the outer face of therubber profile. In this instance, only a centrally extending indentationcooperates with one or more projections, whilst the other indentationsremain free. These indentations enable a degree of axial resilientdeformation, with which a degree of relative axial movement of a piperetained in the clamp can be compensated for without any risk of damageto the rubber profile. The relative movement may, for example, bebrought about by temperature-related length changes of the pipe. Anyaxial stresses which may occur can thus be reduced. At the same time,the rigidity of the rubber profile in a radial direction remains almostunchanged so that the indentations have no significant influence on avibration behavior.

In an embodiment, a depth of the recess is between 10 and 25%, inparticular between 15 and 20% of a radial thickness of the rubberprofile. The radial thickness of the rubber profile is in this instancemeasured from the outer face facing the clamp band to an inner face ofthe rubber profile directed toward the receiving space. When the clampis clamped, there is generally a thickness reduction so that theindentations at least partially close with the clamp tensioned.

In an embodiment, a plurality of projections which are offset in aperipheral direction and/or in an axial direction are provided. Theseprojections may engage in different indentations or in a commonindentation. A better fixing can thereby be achieved since the retentionforces are distributed over a plurality of projections. If theprojections and the indentations are distributed in a peripheraldirection, retention forces can be absorbed so as to be distributed in auniform manner over the peripheral region.

The rubber profile may additionally have recesses which extend in theregion of the lips in a peripheral direction. Direct contact between theedges of the clamp band and the rubber profile is thereby prevented.This enables rapid and simple assembly of the clamp by inserting theclamp band between the lips of the rubber profile since the oftenrelatively sharp edges of the clamp band in this instance do not comeinto contact with the rubber profile. Damage to the rubber profile whenthe clamp band is inserted is thus reliably prevented. During subsequentclamping of the clamp, the edges of the clamp band further cannot pressinto the rubber profile so that the rubber profile in the region of theedges of the clamp band is protected from damage by the clamp band.Furthermore, there is produced a more uniform distribution of a load anda pressing pressure.

In an embodiment, a depth of the recess is between 10 and 25%, inparticular between 15 and 20% of a radial thickness of the rubberprofile. In particular, the recesses and the indentations have the samecross-section. The recesses are then substantially closed by thecompression of the rubber profile when the clamp is closed and thusenable a uniform load distribution.

In this instance, an air gap may be formed between the edges of theclamp band and the rubber profile. The lips of the rubber profilethereby engage around the edges of the clamp band with relatively largeplay. Damage to the rubber profile by the clamp band is therebyvirtually excluded.

In this instance, ends of the lips which are directed toward each othermay be constructed with a conically tapering cross-section. The lipsmust absorb almost no forces, but instead act substantially only as edgeprotection. Accordingly, they can be constructed with relatively thinwalls, which leads to material savings.

In one embodiment, at least outer edges of the rubber profile arerounded. In particular with small clamp diameters, a stress in theregion of the outer edges is thereby reduced. Consequently, a longerservice-life is achieved.

The rubber profile can be produced with an extrusion process, that is tosay, as an endless material, and be cut to the required length. Acontinuous indentation or a continuous projection in the peripheraldirection of the clamp band or in the longitudinal direction of therubber profile can already be formed during the extrusion so that forthe production of the indentation or the projection no additionaloperating steps are required. For example, the rubber profile can beproduced with a multi-component extrusion process so that differentregions of the rubber profile are produced from different materials. Aload-compliant material adaptation of the rubber profile or anadaptation to a desired function is thereby possible. For example, theretention geometry may be produced from a rigid material and the contactface may be produced from a soft material, which enables an adaptationto the object which is intended to be retained or which provides ahigher level of friction between the clamp and the object so that it issecurely retained. The material may be, for example, commerciallyavailable plastics material or a rubber material, ethylene propylenediene rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber or nitrile rubber(NBR), silicone, FKM (fluorocarbon rubber), a thermoplastic elastomermaterial, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) or acombination of these materials. Depending on the material used, therubber profile may bring about an electrical insulation. This applies,for example, to EPDM with specific filling materials, which can be usedfor securing aluminum pipes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other features, details and advantages of the disclosure will beappreciated from the wording of the claims and from the followingdescription of embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamp band of the clamp from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the clamp from FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned view through the clamp from FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a sectioned view through the clamp band and the rubber profileof the clamp from FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the clamp band and the rubber profileof the clamp from FIG. 1 , demonstrating another embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a clamp 10 for securing a tubular or hose-like object. Theclamp 10 has a clamp band 12 at the ends 14, 16 of which a securingmember 20, 22 which protrudes radially outward with respect to areceiving space 18 formed by the clamp 10 is provided. The securingmembers 20, 22 each have a recess 24, 26 for a securing element, forexample, a screw.

In the embodiment shown here, the securing members 20, 22 are arrangedparallel with each other so that there is required in order to securethe object only one securing element which extends through both securingmembers 20, 22 and tensions them with respect to each other and at thesame time retains the clamp 10 on a mounted component. Alternatively,the securing members 20, 22 may also be arranged to be spaced apart fromeach other so that they can each be fixed separately from each other toa mounted component. In this instance, the receiving space 18 is notcompletely surrounded by the clamp band 12.

The clamp band 12 may be produced from metal, for example, from a sheetmetal strip, or another tension-resistant material.

At the radially inner face 28 of the clamp band 12 with respect to thereceiving space 18, a rubber profile 30 is provided. The rubber profile30 is intended to insulate the clamp band 12 with respect to the tubularor hose-like object and prevent or reduce a transmission of vibrations.Furthermore, the rubber profile 30 protects the object from scratchingby the clamping band 12, for example, when the object after being placedin the clamp 10 is positioned, that is to say, orientated relative tothe clamp 10.

The rubber profile 30 has at the edges a respective lip 32, 34 whichengage around the edges 36, 38 of the clamp band 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), wherein the lips 32, 34, as explained below, produce only a roughprepositioning of the rubber profile 30 on the clamp band 12. Since thelips 32, 34 are both in an axial direction A and in a radial direction Rwith respect to the receiving space 18 spaced apart from the edges 36,38 of the clamp band 12, however, the lips 32, 34 are not mechanicallyloaded by the edges 36, 38.

The precise positioning of the rubber profile 30 on the clamp band 12 iscarried out in this embodiment by two first retention geometries 40which are provided on the inner face 28 of the clamp band 12 andcomplementary second retention geometries 44 which are provided on theradial outer face 42 of the rubber profile 30 and which engage in eachother in a radial direction R. The first retention geometries 40 eachhave a radially inwardly protruding projection 46 and the secondretention geometries 44 each have an indentation 48.

The projections 46 are in each case formed by beads which extend in aperipheral direction U and which are introduced by way of embossing inthe clamp band 12. The projections 46 extend in each case partially inthe peripheral direction U.

The indentations 48 each also extend in the direction of a longitudinalcenter axis of the clamp band 12, that is to say, in the peripheraldirection U, and are constructed in such a manner that the projections46 can protrude into them. There are provided in the rubber profile 30further indentations 48 a, 48 b which extend in the longitudinaldirection or in the peripheral direction U, wherein no projections 46protrude in these indentations 48 a, 48 b. In corners 50, 52 of therubber profile 30, recesses 54, 56 which extend in the peripheraldirection U are further provided.

The rubber profile 30 is, for example, produced in an extrusion processand cut to the required length.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 5 , the spacing of the lips32, 34 or the corners 50, 52 is greater than the spacing of the edges36, 38, that is to say, the width of the clamp band 12. The rubberprofile 30 thereby does not abut the edges 36, 38 of the clamp band 12in an axial direction A. As a result of the recesses 54, 56, the rubberprofile 30 is additionally spaced apart in a radial direction R from theedges 36, 38 of the clamp band 12. That is to say, the edges 36, 38 ofthe clamp band 12 have no contact with the rubber profile 30 and thereis therefore no loading of the edges. In particular, the spacing betweenthe edge 36 and the lip 32 or the spacing between the edge 38 and thelip 34 is of the same size so that the clamp band is arrangedsubstantially centrally or symmetrically between the lips. The positionof the rubber profile 30 relative to the clamp band 12 is dependent onthe position of the first and second retention geometries 40, 44.

In order to secure a tubular or hose-like object, it is introducedthrough the receiving space 18 and the clamp 10 is secured using asecuring element to a mounted component, wherein the securing members20, 22 are tensioned with respect to each other by the securing element.The clamp 10 thereby moves, extending in the peripheral direction U,into abutment with the object so that the object is held in a clampingmanner in the clamp 10.

The outer face 42 of the rubber profile 30 is thereby pressed againstthe inner face 28 of the clamp band 12, whereby the first retentiongeometries 40 and the second retention geometries 44, that is to say,the projections 46 and the indentations 48, engage one in the other in aradial direction and form a positive-locking connection in an axialdirection. As a result of the increasing pressure when the clamp band 12is tensioned, the projections 46 are pressed into the indentations 48 sothat the positive-locking connection cannot be released.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5 , the outer face 42 of the rubberprofile 30 abuts with the exception of the indentations 48 a, 48 b andthe recesses 54, 56 in a planar manner the inner face 28 of the clampband. As a result of the spacing between the edges 36, 38 and therecesses 54, 56, an air gap 58, 60 is formed between the edges 36, 38and the rubber profile in an axial direction so that the edges 36, 38cannot cut into the rubber profile 30 and the rubber profile 30 isreliably protected from damage by the edges 36, 38 of the clamp band.The indentations 48 a, 48 b additionally bring about a more uniformdistribution of stresses, in particular the pressure stresses whichoccur, within the rubber profile 20.

Since the rubber profile 30 may have in the preassembled state arelatively large play with respect to the clamp band 12, the geometry ofthe projections and indentations is constructed in such a manner that,when the clamp is tightened, a centering of the rubber profile 30 on theclamp band 12 is carried out.

As already explained, the positioning and securing of the rubber profile30 on the clamp band 12 is thereby carried out by the first and secondretention geometries 40, 44 which engage in each other in a radialdirection R. In the embodiment shown here, fixing is carried out in anaxial direction, wherein the width of the indentations 44, 48substantially corresponds to the width of the projections 40, 46 so thatplay-free fixing is carried out in an axial direction. As a result of acorresponding positioning and formation of the first and secondretention geometries 40, 44, a fixing in the peripheral direction U isadditionally possible, for example, by a positive-locking connectionbetween the first and the second retention geometries 40, 44 also beingproduced in a peripheral direction U.

The disclosure is not limited to one of the above-described embodiments,but instead can be modified in many ways.

In particular, the first and second retention geometries 40, 44 whichengage one in the other may be arranged so as to be distributed in aperipheral direction and/or in an axial direction in order to improvethe fixing of the rubber profile 30 to the clamp band 12. Theprojections 46 may also be provided on the second retention geometry 44,that is to say, on the rubber profile 30, and the indentations 48 may beprovided on the first retention geometry 40, that is to say, on theclamp band 12—this embodiment is particularly presented in FIG. 6 .Furthermore, the first and the second retention geometries 40, 44 mayhave both projections 46 and indentations 48. The first and the secondretention geometries 40, 44 only have to be constructed in such a mannerthat they engage in each other in a radial direction R and can produce apositive-locking connection in an axial direction A and/or in aperipheral direction U between the rubber profile 30 and the clamp band12.

The rubber profile 30 may, for example, be produced using an extrusionprocess. In particular, the rubber profile 30 may also comprisedifferent materials, whereby a load-compliant and/or functionallycompliant adaptation of the properties of the rubber profile 30 can becarried out. For example, the rubber profile 30 may comprisecommercially available plastics materials or rubber materials, ethylenepropylene diene rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber or nitrilerubber (NBR), silicone or combinations thereof.

All of the features and advantages derived from the claims, thedescription and the drawings, including structural details, spatialarrangements and method steps, may be significant to the invention bothindividually per se and in extremely different combinations. It is to beunderstood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferredexemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited tothe particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is definedsolely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in theforegoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the invention or on thedefinition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase isexpressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changesand modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent tothose skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, andmodifications are intended to come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,” “forinstance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,”“including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with alisting of one or more components or other items, are each to beconstrued as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to beconsidered as excluding other, additional components or items. Otherterms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unlessthey are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Clamp-   12 Clamp band-   14 First end of the clamp band-   16 Second end of the clamp band-   18 Receiving space-   20 Securing member-   22 Securing member-   24 Recess-   26 Recess-   28 Radial inner face of the clamp band-   30 Rubber profile-   32 Lip of the rubber profile-   34 Lip of the rubber profile-   36 Edge of the clamp band-   38 Edge of the clamp band-   40 First retention geometry-   42 Radial outer face of the rubber profile-   44 Second retention geometry-   46 Projection-   48 Indentation-   48 a Indentation-   48 b Indentation-   50 Corner-   52 Corner-   54 Recess-   56 Recess-   58 Air gap-   60 Air gap-   A Axial direction-   R Radial direction-   U Peripheral direction

The invention claimed is:
 1. A clamp for securing a tubular object,having a clamp band, the clamp band being a flat metal sheet, the clampband having ends, wherein on the ends of the clamp band an outwardlyprotruding securing member is provided in each case, and the clamphaving a rubber profile which is arranged on a radial inner face of theclamp band and which at least partially engages around edges of theclamp band with a lip, wherein on the radial inner face of the clampband at least a first retention geometry is provided and on a radialouter face of the rubber profile, at least a second retention geometryis provided, wherein the first and the second retention geometries arein engagement with each other in a radial direction (R), wherein thefirst retention geometry has at least one radial indentation which isprovided in the radial inner face of the clamp band and the secondretention geometry has at least one radial projection which is providedon the radial outer face of the rubber profile, wherein the at least oneradial projection engages in the at least one radial indentation, andwherein the at least one radial projection is a plurality of radialprojections which are offset in a peripheral direction (U), wherein inan axial direction between the edges of the clamp band and the rubberprofile an air gap is formed.
 2. The clamp as set forth in claim 1,wherein the at least one radial indentation is formed by at least onebead which is embossed in the clamp band.
 3. The clamp as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the plurality of radial projections, the at least oneradial indentation, or both the plurality of radial projections and theat least one radial indentation extend on or are parallel with alongitudinal center axis of the clamp band.
 4. The clamp as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the at least one radial indentation is constructed soas to extend in a peripheral direction.
 5. The clamp as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the at least one radial indentation is a plurality ofradial indentations which are arranged offset in the peripheraldirection (U).
 6. The clamp as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rubberprofile is produced via a multi-component extrusion process.
 7. A clampfor securing a tubular object, having a clamp band, the clamp band beinga flat metal sheet, the clamp band having ends, wherein on the ends ofthe clamp band an outwardly protruding securing member is provided ineach case, and the clamp having a rubber profile which is arranged on aradial inner face of the clamp band and which at least partially engagesaround edges of the clamp band with a lip, wherein on the radial innerface of the clamp band at least a first retention geometry is providedand on a radial outer face of the rubber profile, at least a secondretention geometry is provided, wherein the first and the secondretention geometries are in engagement with each other in a radialdirection (R), wherein the first retention geometry has at least oneradial indentation which is provided in the radial inner face of theclamp band and the second retention geometry has at least one radialprojection which is provided on the radial outer face of the rubberprofile, wherein the at least one radial projection engages in the atleast one radial indentation, and wherein the at least one radialprojection is a plurality of radial projections which are offset in aperipheral direction (U), wherein the rubber profile has in a region ofthe lips continuous recesses which extend in the peripheral direction(U).